iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Quick answer
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 9.4 millimetres0.37 inches wider and 77 grams2.72 ounces heavier than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) on Amazon (paid link) is your best option for a compact phone that still gets the latest iOS updates. The iPhone 15 Pro Max (paid link) trades that portability for a much larger screen and far longer battery life, though it feels noticeably heavier. Both are sold as renewed units now, so decide if you need the bulk or prefer it light.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Pocket: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
from $429 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 15 Pro Max
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.4 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone SE (3rd gen): 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 144 grams. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 by 76.7 by 8.25 millimetres, 221 grams.
SE (3rd gen), 15 Pro Max shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
from $429 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 15 Pro Max
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: SE (3rd gen) 138.4 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 159.9 millimetres.Height: SE (3rd gen) 5.45 inches, 15 Pro Max 6.30 inches.Width: SE (3rd gen) 67.3 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 76.7 millimetres.Width: SE (3rd gen) 2.65 inches, 15 Pro Max 3.02 inches.Depth: SE (3rd gen) 7.30 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 8.25 millimetres.Depth: SE (3rd gen) 0.29 inches, 15 Pro Max 0.32 inches.Weight: SE (3rd gen) 144 grams, 15 Pro Max 221 grams.Weight: SE (3rd gen) 5.08 ounces, 15 Pro Max 7.80 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | SE (3rd gen) | 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 138.4 millimetres5.45 inches | 159.9 millimetres, 21.5 millimetres more6.30 inches, 0.85 inches more |
| Width | 67.3 millimetres2.65 inches | 76.7 millimetres, 9.4 millimetres more3.02 inches, 0.37 inches more |
| Depth | 7.30 millimetres0.29 inches | 8.25 millimetres, 0.95 millimetres more0.32 inches, 0.04 inches more |
| Weight | 144 grams5.08 ounces | 221 grams, 77 grams more7.80 ounces, 2.72 ounces more |
| Volume | 68.0 cubic centimetres4.15 cubic inches | 101.2 cubic centimetres, 33.2 cubic centimetres more6.17 cubic inches, 2.03 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 65 percent | 90 percent, 24 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 4.7 inches | 6.7 inches, 2.0 inches more |
| Resolution | 750 × 1334 | 1290 × 2796 |
| Pixel density | 326 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 134 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | None | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A17 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 15 hrs | 29 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 64 – 256 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 429 dollars | 1,199 dollars, 770 dollars more |
| Released | Mar 2022 | Sep 2023 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Dimensions
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 21.5 mm (0.85 in) taller, 9.4 mm (0.37 in) wider, 0.95 mm (0.04 in) thicker and 77 g (2.72 oz) heavier than the iPhone SE (3rd gen). The iPhone SE (3rd gen) measures 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.30 mm (5.45 × 2.65 × 0.29 in) and weighs 144 g (5.08 oz). The iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 159.9 × 76.7 × 8.25 mm (6.30 × 3.02 × 0.32 in) and weighs 221 g (7.80 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 15 Pro Max than the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 21.5 mm taller and 9.4 mm wider than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max much heavier than the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs 77 g more than the iPhone SE (3rd gen), which is a noticeable difference.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch display while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) has a 4.7 inch display.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is easier to use one-handed and better for small hands than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Do both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and the iPhone 15 Pro Max fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is more pocketable.
Is upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro Max worth it for size alone?
Whether upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro Max is worth it for size alone depends on your needs.